Applicator for pneumatic therapy

ABSTRACT

A method for facial and neck tissue reestablishment includes application of cyclic suction-relaxation manipulative action to the tissue to improve lymphatic and venous circulation. Apparatus for practicing the method includes a variable pulsating vacuum device to transmit rhythmic suction-relaxation manipulative action through tubing to applicators in contact with the facial and neck tissue. Each applicator is a generally frusto-conical shell having a shallow conical end portion on its minor diameter end, an opening in the apex of the conical end portion, and a nipple extending outwardly from the periphery of the opening. Sleeve-type connector means telescopingly engages the nipple and includes a reduced diameter end remote from the nipple for connection to the tubing. The major diameter end of the shell is reversely flanged to form a rounded, smooth surface for contact with the facial and neck tissue.

United States Patent [191 Spelio Oct. 15, 1974 APPLICATOR FOR PNEUMATICTHERAPY [57] ABSTRACT [76] Inventor: Peter N. Spelio, PO. Box 5857, Amethod for facial and neck tissue reestablishment Encino, Calif, 91413includes application of cyclic suction-relaxation manipulative action tothe tissue to improve lymphatic [22] 1973 and venous circulation.Apparatus for practicing the [21] Appl. No.: 320,121 method includes avariable pulsating vacuum device to transmit rhythmic suction-relaxationmanipulative action through tubing to applicators in contact with the(SI. facial and neck tissue. Each applicator is a generally [58] Fieid"128/3840 frusto-conical shell having a shallow conical end porc 302tion on its minor diameter end, an opening in the apex of the conicalend portion, and a nipple extending outwardly from the periphery of theopening. Sleeve-type [56] References cued connector means telescopinglyengages the nipple and UNITED STATES PATENTS includes a reduced diameterend remote from the nip- 1,312,619 8/1919 D'Orsay 128/40 ple forconnection to the tubing. The major diameter 1,704,960 /1 Ackerman128/38 end of the shell is reversely flanged to form a rounded, 18986522/1933 WHIamS-U 128/40 UX R smooth surface for contact with the facialand neck 2,646,038 7/l953 lwan 128/40 tissue 3,236,231 2/1966 Schneideret al. 128/40 Primary ExaminerLawrence W. Trapp 4.25m, q F rm-91am? t.QBfi m Harvey B. Jacobson 12 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures APPLICATOR FORPNEUMATIC THERAPY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present inventionrelates to a process and apparatus for applying rhythmic manipulativeaction to a patients skin and, more particularly, to a process andapparatus for reestablishing facial and neck tissue by improvinglymphatic and venous circulation and thereby improving arterial bloodflow and reestablishing capillary permeability.

Heretofore, techniques for repairing, regenerating and maintaininghealthy and youthful appearing facial and neck tissue have beenrelatively unsophisticated and largely ineffective. Often they have beendangerous, resorting to such radical procedures as surgery, theutilization of electrical impulses and the use of drugs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the presentinvention to provide a mechanical manipulative method for facial andneck tissue reestablishment which is effective and safe.

It is another object of this invention to provide a process foractivating and improving lymphatic, venous and arterial circulation,thereby improving tissue nutrition and oxidation in the treated area.

It is still another object of the invention to provide apparatus usefulin practicing the mechanical manipulative method of the presentinvention.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription and appended claims.

Briefly stated, in accordance with the aforesaid objects, the presentinvention provides a mechanical manipulative method for facial and necktissue reestablishment comprising alternating suction and relaxation atsuccessive intervals varying from 130 to 190 cycles per minute. Thetechnique is practiced by contacting a patient with disposableapplicator cups joined by tubing to a source of suction and relaxationto apply the cyclic mechanical manipulation to the appropriate areas ofthe face and neck. Each applicator includes a generally frusto-conicalshell having an outwardly and upwardly turned peripheral flange on themajor diameter end thereof and a shallow, conical end portion on theminor diameter end thereof. The conical end portion has an opening inits apex and a cylindrical nipple extending from the periphery of theopening. One end of a coupling member telescopingly engages the nippleand the other end is adapted for insertion into the tubing to provide acontinuous path from the applicator to the source of the mechanicalaction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be betterunderstood from the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates bilateral placement of the applicators of the presentinvention on each side of the face.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an applicator of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an applicator taken substantially alongline 3-3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an applicator cup and a coupling therefor.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of apparatus useful in practicing theprocess of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises aprocess and apparatus for applying rhythmic manipulation to facial andneck tissue to facilitate and improve venous, arterial and lymphaticcirculation and thereby to assist in maintaining and regenerating suchtissue. In fact, inasmuch as the lymph fluid that surrounds, bathes, andfeeds the facial tissue is physically and biochemically different fromblood, it is believed that lymph stasis may be more significant thanarterial sluggishness or venous congestion in the deterioration anddegeneration of facial and neck tissue. The present process is thereforeparticularly designed to activate and reestablish the normal flow ratein lymphatic circulation. Incidental thereto, venous and arterialcirculation are improved. In addition, it has been observed that thepresent process relaxes tense nerves and has a generally soothing effecton the nervous system. This latter effect allows the vase-constrictormuscles of the sympathetic nervous system of the arteriols andcapillaries to relax, resulting in the restoration of and increase inarterial blood flow to the tissues of the treated area. It has also beenobserved that the present process promotes epidermal cleansing bydislodging embedded grime and make-up, cleansing clogged pores and emptyhair follicles, and removing accumulated sebum from dried-up sebaceousglands.

The process generally contemplates rhythmic mechanical manipulativeaction, i.e., application of cyclic contraction and relaxation to thefacial and neck area. Preferably, the manipulative application techniqueis directed and controlled by a technician placing and moving disposableapplicators over the facial and neck area to be treated. Prior toapplication of the rhythmic suction and relaxation, the skin should bethoroughly cleansed and dried and a layer of facial cream, such as acream prepared from herbal and unsaturated fatty acids, applied in athin coating over the entire facial and neck skin. A variable pulsatingvacuum device which produces the rhythmic action is then activated andthe desired suction and relaxation cyclic frequency is set in the rangeto cycles per minute, de-

pending upon the patient, condition under treatment and the resultssought. The applicators are placed, bilaterally, one on each side of themedian line of the face, as shown in FIG. 1. Subsequently, theapplicators are moved and placed, bilaterally, one on each side of theunderside of the chin, the front of the neck, the median line of theforehead above the eyebrows, on each side of the nose underneath theeyes and on each side of the spinous process of cervical region on backof the neck and upper dorsals of the spine.

While various types of apparatus may be utilized to practice the presentprocess, each apparatus must generally include the components shown inFIG. 5 wherein the numeral 10 designates the applicators used totransmit the cyclic suction-relaxation action to the patient. Theapplicators 10 are connected via relatively short sections of rubber orvinyl tubing (hose) 12 into two arms of a Y-shaped connector 14. Thethird arm of connector 14 is joined via a relatively longer section ofrubber or vinyl tubing 16 to a variable pulsating vacuum pneumaticdevice 18, designed to produce the cyclic suction-relaxation action.While such pulsating vacuum pneumatic devices, per se, form no part ofthe present invention, it is noteworthy that they are preferablyelectrically powered to assure uniform, synchronized manipulativeaction. To allow ample maneuverability for usage of the applicators,tubing sections 12 and 16 are conveniently about 2 feet and 4 feet inlength, respectively. As will be appreciated the tubing sections may beany length which is convenient for the user.

Applicators 10, which are preferably disposable, may be made in varioussizes and formed of polyethylene or other suitable, relativelyinexpensive, plastic material. The different sizes are necessary andconvenient for application of the cyclic manipulative action to thevarious round and angular areas around the face. Referring to FIG. 4 itcan be seen that each applicator 10, in a preferred embodiment of theinvention, consists of an applicator cup 20 and a coupling 22. The majordiameter end of the cup is the only portion of the applicator whichcontacts the patients skin.

Cup 20 is a generally frusto-conical shell 26 having a shallow conicalend portion 28 on the minor diameter end thereof. An opening 30 in theapex of the conical end portion 28 communicates with the interior ofshell 26 and a cylindrical upstanding nipple 32 extends from theperiphery of opening 30. The major diameter end of shell 26 is open andincludes an upwardly and outwardly curved peripheral flange 34 adaptedto form a wide, firm and rounded smooth surface for contact with thefacial and neck tissue. For convenience in grasping and handling, shell26 includes a number of generally longitudinally disposed recesses ordepressions 36 in the peripheral wall.

Coupling 22, which is preferably constructed of aluminum or rigidplastic, consists of a generally cylindrical sleeve 38 having aninternal diameter of proper dimensions to permit it to snugly andtelescopingly fit over nipple 32. The other end portion 40 of sleeve 38,i.e., the end remote from nipple 32, is of reduced external diameter topermit it to fit snugly within tubing section 12. Reduced diameter endportion 40 also includes at least one, and preferably two, spaced-apartcircumferential, radially projecting, ring members 42, which, as can beseen in FIG. 3, engage the inner wall of tubing section 12 to assure apositive connection with the reduced diameter end portion 40. Shoulder44, defined by sleeve 38 and end portion 40, limits the insertion ofconnector 22 into tubing section 12.

A particular advantage of the present process is that it is completelysanitary since the applicator cups 20 are disposable. The coupling 22allows easy and rapid disposal and replacement of applicator cupsthereby avoiding any possible chance of contamination or infection bycontact. By virtue of their disposable characteristics, the applicatorcups are replaced for use on each patient, thereby eliminating any needfor washing and sterilizing the apparatus of the present invention.

In actual practice a patient is seated in a chair, preferably in frontof a mirror, and a technician stands behind the patient. It is importantfor best results that the applicators simultaneously transmit the cyclicmanipulative action bilaterally to thesame anatomical area of thepatients face and neck. Thus, the mirror is useful as a visual aid tothe technician in placing and replacing the applicators in properlocations and in assuring proper relative vertical orientation. Thetechnician lightly places the reversely flanged open end of theapplicators into contact with the skin bilaterally and simultaneously onany one of the indicated areas to be treated and rhythmically glides theapplicators over the skin in synchronization with the relaxation portionof the suction-relaxation cycle. The applicators are maintained incontact with the skin at all times and are glided approximatelyone-sixth of an inch with each movement in the general direction setforth in the detailed description which follows. It is believed thatapplication of cyclic mechanical manipulative action in this mannerfacilitates and improves venous and lymphatic circulation with aconsequent invigoration of arterial blood flow.

In placing, replacing and gliding the applicators over the facial andneck areas in accordance with the present process, the followinganatomical areas appear to be the most significant in terms of responseto treatment.

1. The applicators are placed bilaterally on each side of the face ingeneral horizontal alignment with the lips. The direction of gliding(glide path) is generally upward and backward defining a glide line fromthe lower front end of the face to the upper front end of the neck. Tocover this anatomical area completely, it will be necessary to repeatthe glide path a number of times, each time paralleling the initial andsubsequent glide lines.

2. The applicators are placed bilaterally on each side of the faceunderneath the chin on the inner side of the jaw bone. The direction ofgliding (glide path) is generally rearwardly defining a glide line tothe middle, front part of the neck. To cover this anatomical areacompletely, it will be necessary to repeat the glide path a number oftimes, each time paralleling the initial and subsequent glide lines.

3. The applicators are placed bilaterally on the forehead, one on eachside of the facial median line above the eyebrows. The direction ofgliding (glide path) is generally sidewardly away from the median linedefining a glide line ending at the side of the face at about thetemporal bone. To cover this anatomical area completely, it will benecessary to repeat the glide path a number of times, each timeparalleling the initial and subsequent glide lines.

4. The applicators are placed bilaterally on each side of the neck abovethe clavicle bone. The direction of gliding (glide path) is sideward andrearward defining a glide line ending at the cervical lateral spinousprocess at the side of the neck. To cover the entire length of the neckit will be necessary to repeat the glide path a number of times, eachtime paralleling the initial and subsequent slide lines.

5. The applicators are placed bilaterally one on each side of the noseunderneath the eyes. The direction of gliding (glide path) is away fromthe nose toward the outer side of the face defining a glide line endingat the cheek bone. To cover the entire area above the upper lip andbelow the eyes, it will be necessary to repeat the glide path a numberof times, each time paralleling the initial and subsequent glide lines.

6. The applicators are placed bilaterally one on each side of thespinous process of the cervical region on the back of the neck and upperdorsals of the spine, including the upper part of the trapezious muscleconnecting the upper part of the shoulders with the neck. The directionof gliding (glide path) is along a glide line from below the occiput tothe first dorsal vertebra. From the upper extended area of thetrapezious muscle the glide path is toward the center along a glide lineending on each side of the spinous process of the cervical and upperdorsal region of the spine. To cover this anatomical area completely itwill be necessary to repeat the glide paths a number of times, each timeparalleling the initial and subsequent glide lines.

The present process was evaluated on about 58 patients ranging in agefrom 25 to 74 years. Treatment schedules varied from once to twiceweekly for each patient. Following treatment it was generally observedthat circulation improved as evidenced by the uniformity of vivid andhealthy pink complexion on the facial and neck epidermal tissue. Almostall patients experienced an exuberant feeling of relaxation, relief fromtension and relaxation of muscle spasm. Muscle tone and skin elasticitywere restored as manifested by loose and wrinkled skin and flabby musclebecoming smoother and firmer. Many patients who were subject to frequentheadaches reported great relief and comfort.

While the present invention has been described with reference toparticular embodiments thereof, it will be understood that numerousmodifications can be made by those skilled in the art without actuallydeparting from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, all equivalentsand modifications may be restored to which fall within the scope of theinvention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A device for applying cyclic suction-relaxation manipulative actionto the skin comprising a generally frusto-conical shell having major andminor diameter open ends; a plurality of recesses in said shellextending between said ends; a conical end portion on the minor diameterend of said shell, an opening in the apex of said conical end portion; anipple extending outwardly from the periphery of said opening andconnector means on said nipple for connecting tubing to said shell; saidconnector means comprising a sleeve having one end thereof telescopinglyhousing and snugly engaging said nipple and a reduced external diameterother end for insertion within said tubing; and an outwardly andreversely curved peripheral flange on the major diameter end of saidshell to form a rounded surface for contact with the skin.

2. A method for facial and neck tissue reestablishment by improvinglymphatic and venous circulation comprising the step of applyingbilateral cyclic suctionrelaxation manipulative action having a cyclicfrequency in the range 130 to 190 cycles per minute, to

a. each side of the face;

b. each side of the face underneath said chin on the inner side of thejaw bones;

c. the forehead on each side of the facial median line above theeyebrows;

d. each side of the neck above the clavicle bone;

e. each side of the nose underneath the eyes; and

f. each side of the spinous process of the cervical region on the backof the neck and upper dorsals of the spine, including the upper part ofthe trapezious muscle connecting the upper part of the shoulders withthe neck.

3. A method, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the manipulative action isapplied by placing applicators in contact with the facial and necktissue in the areas set forth in each of (a) through (f) and moving saidapplicators to apply the manipulation to the entire of said areas.

4. A method, as claimed in claim 3, wherein said applicators move aboutone sixth of an inch along said areas with each movement.

5. A method, as claimed in claim 3, wherein said manipulative action isapplied to each side of the face by moving said applicators along a pathgenerally upward and backward from the lower front end of the face tothe upper front end of the neck.

6. A method, as claimed in claim 3, wherein said manipulative action isapplied to each side of the face underneath the chin on the inner sideof the jawbones by moving said applicators along a path from the innersides of the jawbones generally rearwardly to the front part of theneck.

7. A method, as claimed in claim 3, wherein said manipulative action isapplied to said forehead by moving said applicators along a path fromthe facial median line above the eyebrows sidewardly away from themedian line to the side of the face at the temporal bone.

8. A method, as claimed in claim 3, wherein said manipulative action isapplied to each side of the neck above the clavicle bone by moving saidapplicators along a path from the side of the neck sideward and rearwardto the cervicle lateral spinous process at the side of the neck.

9. A method, as claimed in claim 3, wherein said manipulative action isapplied to each side of the face underneath the eyes by moving saidapplicators along a path from the nose toward the outer side of the faceto the cheek bone.

10. A method, as claimed in claim 3, wherein said manipulative action isapplied to each side of the spinous process of the cervical region onthe back of the neck and upper dorsals of the spine by moving saidapplicators along a path from below the occiput to the first dorsalvertebra.

11. A method, as claimed in claim 3, wherein said manipulative action isapplied to the upper part of the trapezious muscle connecting the upperpart of the shoulders with the neck by moving said applicators along apath from the upper extended area of the trapezious muscle toward thecenter to the spinous process of the cervical and upper dorsal region ofthe spine.

12. A method, as claimed in claim 3 including the steps of cleansing anddrying the facial and neck areas to be treated and applying a layer of afacial cream thereto prior to applying the manipulative action to saidareas.

1. A device for applying cyclic suction-relaxation manipulative actionto the skin comprising a generally frusto-conical shell having major andminor diameter open ends; a plurality of recesses in said shellextending between said ends; a conical end portion on the minor diameterend of said shell, an opening in the apex of said conical end portion; anipple extending outwardly from the periphery of said opening andconnector means on said nipple for connecting tubing to said shell; saidconnector means comprising a sleeve having one end thereof telescopinglyhousing and snugly engaging said nipple and a reduced external diameterother end for insertion within said tubing; and an outwardly andreversely curved peripheral flange on the major diameter end of saidshell to form a rounded surface for contact with the skin.
 2. A methodfor facial and neck tissue reestablishment by improving lymphatic andvenous circulation comprising the step of applying bilateral cyclicsuction-relaxation manipulative action having a cyclic frequency in therange 130 to 190 cycles per minute, to a. each side of the face; b. eachside of the face underneath said chin on the inner side of the jawbones; c. the forehead on each side of the facial median line above theeyebrows; d. each side of the neck above the clavicle bone; e. each sideof the nose underneath the eyes; and f. each side of the spinous processof the cervical region on the back of the neck and upper dorsals of thespine, including the upper part of the trapezious muscle connecting theupper part of the shoulders with the neck.
 3. A method, as claimed inclaim 2, wherein the manipulative action is applied by placingapplicators in contact with the facial and neck tissue in the areas setforth in each of (a) through (f) and moving said applicators to applythe manipulation to the entire of said areas.
 4. A method, as claimed inclaim 3, wherein said applicators move about one sixth of an inch alongsaid areas with each movement.
 5. A method, as claimed in claim 3,wherein said manipulative action is applied to each side of the face bymoving said applicators along a path generally upward and backward fromthe lower front end of the face to the upper front end of the neck.
 6. Amethod, as claimed in claim 3, wherein said manipulative action isapplied to each side of the face underneath the chin on the inner sideof the jawbones by moving said applicators along a path from the innersides of the jawbones generally rearwardly to the front part of theneck.
 7. A method, as claimed in claim 3, wherein said manipulativeaction is applied to said forehead by moving said applicators along apath from the facial median line above the eyebrows sidewardly away fromthe median line to the side of the face at the temporal bone.
 8. Amethod, as claimed in claim 3, wherein said manipulative action isapplied to each side of the neck above the clavicle bone by moving saidapplicators along a path from the side of the neck sideward and rearwardto the cervicle lateral spinous process at the side of the neck.
 9. Amethod, as claimed in claim 3, wherein said manipulative action isapplied to each side of the face underneath the eyes by moving saidapplicators along a path from the nose toward the outer side of the faceto the cheek bone.
 10. A method, as claimed in claim 3, wherein saidmanipulative action is applied to each side of the spinous process ofthe cervical region on tHe back of the neck and upper dorsals of thespine by moving said applicators along a path from below the occiput tothe first dorsal vertebra.
 11. A method, as claimed in claim 3, whereinsaid manipulative action is applied to the upper part of the trapeziousmuscle connecting the upper part of the shoulders with the neck bymoving said applicators along a path from the upper extended area of thetrapezious muscle toward the center to the spinous process of thecervical and upper dorsal region of the spine.
 12. A method, as claimedin claim 3 including the steps of cleansing and drying the facial andneck areas to be treated and applying a layer of a facial cream theretoprior to applying the manipulative action to said areas.